Want to use your own modem/router with Comcast? Here’s how

Comcast on Tuesday flipped a switch that turned about 50,000 of the newer wireless routers leased by its Houston-area Internet subscribers into Wi-Fi hotspots that other Comcast customers can access for free. While the company lets its customers disable this, Comcast did this without asking permission first, and that’s upset some people.

The move only affects customers who are leasing a specific combination modem/router from Comcast – the tall, black-plastic Arris Touchstone Telephony Wireless Gateway. Those Comcast Internet subscribers who have their different routers and modems aren’t affected – including those with equipment they own themselves.

Typically, cable Internet providers allow their subscribers to connect their own modems and routers to the network – so long as the equipment has been tested and shown to work with the company’s system. That’s usually not a problem with routers, but third-party modems can be tricky.

If you’d like to get away from paying the $8 a month Comcast charges to lease its newer modem/router devices, it’s a fairly straightforward process. If you take this route, you’ll end up owning the hardware, and you’ll have nearly complete control over how it’s used.

Here’s what you need to know:

• If you currently have a combination modem and wireless router from Comcast, you’ll first need to decide whether you want to buy a similar combination unit or have a separate modem and router. I’d recommend the latter. If something goes wrong with a combination unit, try to determine whether the modem or the router part is at fault is difficult. In addition, you have less flexibility – if you want to upgrade one component or the other, you have to buy a whole new unit. Working with a separate cable modem and router, while a little more expensive, makes more sense.

• When shopping for a cable modem, you’ll want one that supports a standard known as DOCSIS 3.0. This allows for superfast speeds, and nearly all cable companies in the United States now support this standard. You will want to find a modem that has been certified to work with your cable provider’s system, and most have a Web page on their support sites with a list of approved devices. If you’ve are using Comcast’s telephone service, you’ll want what is called a telephony modem. You can find Comcast’s approved cable modems here. Prices start just north of $60. I’m using an Arris Motorola Surfboard SB6141 modem (about $80 at Amazon.com), and it’s excellent.

• Once you have the cable modem, you’ll need to call your cable provider and have it activated, which usually can be done over the phone. You’ll be asked to disconnect your current modem and/or router and connect the new modem, then provide some serial numbers found on the unit. Once it’s activated, you can connect your router to it.

• Almost any modern Wi-Fi router will work with any cable Internet system. You’ll want one that supports the newer 802.11ac Wi-Fi standard. The older 802.11n standard is still prevalent, and those routers may be slightly less expensive, but you’ll want to buy with the future in mind. Typically routers have 3-4 Gigabit Ethernet ports for wired Internet connections, and some will come with USB 2.0 or 3.0 connections, which will let you hook up an external hard drive and/or a printer to share on your network. Prices for 802.11ac routers start around $50, with high-end models selling for $170 and up. If you have a small home, a less-expensive router will probably do. If you’ve got a big house, plan to spend more – pricier routers usually have a greater signal range. Brand names to know are Linksys, Apple, D-Link, Netgear, Asus, Belkin and Trendnet. I’m currently using a Linksys WRT1900AC, which I reviewed earlier this year. It’s probably overkill for my small apartment. You can find other router reviews I’ve written here.

• Modern routers typically have simplified processes for connecting your computers, mobile devices and streaming TV boxes. The router will broadcast a name for your network, called the SSID, and you’ll be able to use the default that comes with the router or pick one of your own. (My favorite SSID seen lately: “Pretty fly for a Wi-Fi”.) You’ll then supply a network password for that your devices will need to connect. Many routers also allow you to set up a guest network so your friends can connect to the Internet without being able to access the other computers on your home network. And some routers allow you to administer them remotely via a Web page or even a smartphone app.

Cable providers typically provide little help when setting up your own equipment, though you may be able to pay an installation fee to have a tech come to your door. You should also find instructions for setting up routers on the company’s support website.

Note that when you switch from a cable provider’s equipment to your own, you’ll be responsible for returning the equipment. If you don’t return it in a specified amount of time, you will be charged for it. You can find Comcast’s service centers here.